Ester Adaberto (1872–1951), born Ester Nunez de Arce, was an Italian opera singer.

Early life

Ester Nunez de Arce was born in Naples, and raised in Milan. Her father was Spanish, possibly a music professional,"Mme. Ester Adaberto, Dramatic Soprano"
''Springfield Missouri Republican'' (November 15, 1914): 15. via Newspapers.com and her mother was Neapolitan."Ester Adaberto"
''La Voce Antica''.

Career

Ester Adaberto, a soprano, debuted on the opera stage in 1897, in ''

Pagliacci ''Pagliacci'' (; literal translation, "Clowns") is an Italian opera in a prologue and two acts, with music and libretto by Ruggero Leoncavallo. The opera tells the tale of Canio, actor and leader of a commedia dell'arte theatrical company, who m ...

'' at the Teatro Nuovo in Mirandola. She was a member of the Castellano Opera Company and toured Eastern Europe with them. At Vilna she was shot in the arm by a jealous Russian suitor. In about 1905, she moved to the United States, and toured from coast to coast."Mme. Ester Adaberto, Prima Donna Soprano"
''The Lincoln Star'' (December 9, 1914): 2. via Newspapers.com She and

Nicola Zerola Nicola Zerola (1876 – 21 July 1936) was an Italian operatic tenor who had an active international career from 1898-1928. He began his career in his native country, but was soon heard in concerts and operas internationally during the first years ...

starred in '' Aida'' (1909) with the Italian Grand Opera Company, and she sang in '' Il trovatore'' (1909) at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and in '' Tosca'' (1913) in San Francisco. In 1913 she traveled to Honolulu with the Lombardi Opera Company. In 1914-1915 she was a leading dramatic soprano with the San Carlo Opera Company. In March 1915, Adaberto was called away for a family emergency in Italy, and

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took over her role in ''Aida''. Adaberto made four recordings. Adaberto's repertoire was said to consist of thirty operas. She was described as "beautiful and charming", with "a flexible voice of wide range...although at times a metallic quality detracted from the effect.""Music Lovers Enjoy Opera"
''The News'' (November 1, 1913): 5. via Newspapers.com

Personal life

She retired from performing in 1917, in grief after the death of her son in World War I. Adaberto died in 1951, aged 79 years, in Milan.

References

1872 births 1951 deaths Italian opera singers Musicians from Naples {{authority control